Royal Caribbean Gets Approval To Sail to Cuba

[ChipLondon]

Yes :d

[troykahack]

Just don't get sick and need a hospital in Cuba. You best have a bank account for a flight or helicopter back to the States.

[troykahack]

I just read up a bit on Cuba People to People. It means you will have a very limited and narrow and government controlled where one can visit or go??

 

Is this true? If so, you really want to go? If so, why?

 

Cuba People to People means you can only visit where the Gov approves? So, you want to go when their Gov will not let you explore the island at will? I don't ....

 

I believe that Trump will kill this.... so many real Cuban Americans will protest.... only if they let you go where you want to go... to witness the true famine of this country... to see how Socialism works at its best...

Edited December 7, 2016 by troykahack

[BamaGuy44]

They were waiting on permits from Cuba, which came in today.

 

We'll see what happens in January. Remember, the current Cuba policy came through executive action, and not through Congress. The republican party platform continues to call for an embargo

 

Well that's the problem with legislating with your pen, the new President has a pen, too :)

 

But as a practical matter it's unlikely Trump will roll this back, regardless of the party platform. A lot of American companies are pouring millions into Cuba already, it would be hard to put the genie back in the bottle even if he wanted to. The cruise lines and airlines don't seem too concerned about it.

[time4u2go]

Just don't get sick and need a hospital in Cuba. You best have a bank account for a flight or helicopter back to the States.

I'm guessing that's true for many places that cruise ships visit.

[kwazi07]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/12/07/royal-caribbean-cuba-cruises/95096336/

 

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[kwazi07]

Scratch my last post. Just saw the link earlier in the thread

:)

 

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[ECCruise]

I just read up a bit on Cuba People to People. It means you will have a very limited and narrow and government controlled where one can visit or go??

 

Is this true? If so, you really want to go? If so, why?

 

Cuba People to People means you can only visit where the Gov approves? So, you want to go when their Gov will not let you explore the island at will? I don't ....

 

I believe that Trump will kill this.... so many real Cuban Americans will protest.... only if they let you go where you want to go... to witness the true famine of this country... to see how Socialism works at its best...

 

Not quite sure where this information comes from, but I am certain you have never been in Cuba.

 

We did a People to People and had absolute freedom (when we weren't touring to a specific area) anywhere in Havana when we were there and anywhere in Trinidad we wanted to go. We walked the streets freely from one end of the Malecon to the other, through the city squares and neighborhoods.

 

Also your post about health care in Cuba is not accurate. I am by no means an apologist for the Castro regime, but at least I can tell the truth. Cuban health care is some of the best in the world--there is a doctor for every 170 Cubans, one of the two highest ratios in the world. They have so many doctors that they have to export them. Longer life expectancy than the US. Less infant mortality. And the list goes on.

 

It is no paradise, but it is not even remotely the way you portray it.

[troykahack]

Not quite sure where this information comes from, but I am certain you have never been in Cuba.

 

We did a People to People and had absolute freedom (when we weren't touring to a specific area) anywhere in Havana when we were there and anywhere in Trinidad we wanted to go. We walked the streets freely from one end of the Malecon to the other, through the city squares and neighborhoods.

 

Also your post about health care in Cuba is not accurate. I am by no means an apologist for the Castro regime, but at least I can tell the truth. Cuban health care is some of the best in the world--there is a doctor for every 170 Cubans, one of the two highest ratios in the world. They have so many doctors that they have to export them. Longer life expectancy than the US. Less infant mortality. And the list goes on.

 

It is no paradise, but it is not even remotely the way you portray it.

 

You were required to remain in a specific area, correct?

 

Are you aware what happens if a non Cuban is hospitalized. It is a cash only system for those of us not Cuban Citizen. I have read some blogs regarding early tourist and seen pictures of the common hospital rooms. They don't have our medicines. CNN just did a report on the medical system there. Very little modern equipment and few instruments along with medicines. Just saying don't get sick. If you want to get the picture they show you in a specific area, go for it.

[ECCruise]

You were required to remain in a specific area, correct?

 

Are you aware what happens if a non Cuban is hospitalized. It is a cash only system for those of us not Cuban Citizen. I have read some blogs regarding early tourist and seen pictures of the common hospital rooms. They don't have our medicines. CNN just did a report on the medical system there. Very little modern equipment and few instruments along with medicines. Just saying don't get sick. If you want to get the picture they show you in a specific area, go for it.

 

Is reading a problem?

 

Read my post. You quoted it. We were able to go anywhere we wanted in Havana. Had we wanted, we could have rented a car and gone outside Havana. No one or no thing said where we could go. And for your "if you want to get the picture they show you in a specific area, go for it" Do you mean the whole island with the exception of military installations (oh, just like the USA) and of course, Guantanamo. We visited housing projects, some new, some Soviet area, some very nice (better than some in the USA) and some from the Soviet era that were not nice at all. Never would have seen those if your dogma was actuality.

 

You are badly misinformed, frankly. Like I said, Cuba is nowhere near perfect by any assessment, but your characterization is colored only by your preconceived goggles and not a shred of evidence or experience.

 

And not sure if or where you have ever traveled in the world, but many, many countries are "cash only." And the quality, for better or worse, is not that different than much of the Caribbean.

Edited December 8, 2016 by ECCruise

[troykahack]

Is reading a problem?

 

Read my post. You quoted it. We were able to go anywhere we wanted in Havana. Had we wanted, we could have rented a car and gone outside Havana. No one or no thing said where we could go. And for your "if you want to get the picture they show you in a specific area, go for it" Do you mean the whole island with the exception of military installations (oh, just like the USA) and of course, Guantanamo. We visited housing projects, some new, some Soviet area, some very nice (better than some in the USA) and some from the Soviet era that were not nice at all. Never would have seen those if your dogma was actuality.

 

You are badly misinformed, frankly. Like I said, Cuba is nowhere near perfect by any assessment, but your characterization is colored only by your preconceived goggles and not a shred of evidence or experience.

 

And not sure if or where you have ever traveled in the world, but many, many countries are "cash only." And the quality, for better or worse, is not that different than much of the Caribbean.

 

Just what type of car could you rent??

 

The definition of Cuba People to People cruise that Royal suggests is a narrowly limited supervised tour. That is Royal's definition not mine.

 

What country did you cruise or fly out of to your Cuba??

 

Hey, there are a lot of islands I have seen that I wouldn't want to walk off the beaten path and very few I would want to be admitted into their hospital.

Edited December 8, 2016 by troykahack

[ECCruise]

Just what type of car could you rent??

Lots of Japanese/Korean imports. If you think that Cuba is nothing but old American cars, they are less than 1% of the inventory. And many of those have Toyota running gear, LOL.

The definition of Cuba People to People cruise that Royal suggests is a narrowly limited supervised tour. That is Royal's definition not mine.

 

We were on a People to People trip

What country did you cruise or fly out of to your Cuba??

 

Miami, FL, USA

 

Hey, there are a lot of islands I have seen that I wouldn't want to walk off the beaten path and very few I would want to be admitted into their hospital.

You just made my point. Cuba is not unique re: health care and much better than most in the Caribbean. Has that kept you from sailing to any Caribbean island?

 

See bold replies.

[jamesboat]

I just read up a bit on Cuba People to People. It means you will have a very limited and narrow and government controlled where one can visit or go??

 

That is incorrect.

 

Fathom has been cruising for a year. You were given a choice of either going on an official tour, just like in any other port, or going on your own, just like any other port. The only difference is if you went on your own, you had to certify you did "people to people" activities. This is a mandate of the US government, not the Cuban government. The Cuban government has never put restrictions on Americans visiting.

 

You are badly misinformed about Cuba. You realize there is AirBnB on the island? Car rentals? All inclusive resorts? Europeans and Canadians have never stopped vacationing there, nor have their companies ever stopped doing business. Americans have visited via Cancun or Toronto and simply asked the cuban customs agents to not stamp the passport.

 

Again, it is the American government that has attempted to control where american citizens can and cannot travel. Cuba has no restrictions. The "people to people" waiver is how Obama got around the Congress restrictions on travel.

Edited December 8, 2016 by jamesboat

[newport dave]

Hi all,

 

this may have already been asked, in which case I apologise for asking again - but I wondered if anyone had heard if RCI plan to go to Cuba anytime soon? Or have they already released schedules and I haven't seen them?

 

thanks in advance for your replies

 

Jean :)

 

As your from the UK, Thomsons have been cruising to Cuba for a couple of years now. They well maybe a better option, as they have no restrictions on them like US lines do.

[little britain]

 

 

 

 

Havana shots; the last one is of a building opposite their Parliament

 

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Edited December 8, 2016 by little britain

[troykahack]

 

 

 

 

Havana shots; the last one is of a building opposite their Parliament

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Were are all those new cars??

[BillOh]

That's what we always called the Freedom Western Caribbean cruises, because looking on a map, FL to Labadee to Jamaica to GC to Cozumel and back looks like a big circle around Cuba... :)

 

I've made that one twice, though when I did it from Miami we got a little closer to Cuba. One time on that 2008 cruise I got a good look at some barrier islands off the NE coast of Cuba that would make a wonderful private island type of visit.

[ECCruise]

Were are all those new cars??

 

Goodness, you just refuse to accept the truth.

 

On the first picture, I can clearly see both a Volvo and a new Kia.

 

The old American cars are largely used for taxis and are frequently seen in the tourist and hotel areas in central Havana. I have plenty of pictures that show a predominance of old American iron but also some that show more modern cars. Also a few that show cars from the Russian period (Ladas, Volgas and the like). Obviously, the pictures that I (and others) largely take is of the old cars from the US for their uniqueness.

[Biker19]

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/cuba-opens-the-door-to-more-us-based-cruise-operators.html

 

In the update to this story, there are a couple of interesting quotes:

 

It is important to note that approvals are for limited periods - in the case of NCLH, only through the May sailings.

 

Recently, in disclosing Fathom would be discontinued as a cruise brand, Carnival Corp. & plc indicated it was in talks with Cuba about sending another ship, and over the weekend ceo Arnold Donald told the CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. national conference that Carnival doesn't have permission to sail to Cuba beyond April.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Biker19

[troykahack]

That is incorrect.

 

Fathom has been cruising for a year. You were given a choice of either going on an official tour, just like in any other port, or going on your own, just like any other port. The only difference is if you went on your own, you had to certify you did "people to people" activities. This is a mandate of the US government, not the Cuban government. The Cuban government has never put restrictions on Americans visiting.

 

You are badly misinformed about Cuba. You realize there is AirBnB on the island? Car rentals? All inclusive resorts? Europeans and Canadians have never stopped vacationing there, nor have their companies ever stopped doing business. Americans have visited via Cancun or Toronto and simply asked the cuban customs agents to not stamp the passport.

 

Again, it is the American government that has attempted to control where american citizens can and cannot travel. Cuba has no restrictions. The "people to people" waiver is how Obama got around the Congress restrictions on travel.

 

US People to People for Cuba (removed the name of licensee ** to meet CC Guidelines)

 

 

** Cuba travel license dictates that all groups must be accompanied by both an ** representative AND a Cuban guide. This requirement is not waived based on group size.

 

People-to-people travel is not tourist-oriented or self-directed. There is no time allotted to skip an activity in favor of shopping or to wander the streets of a colonial city.

 

** included a full-schedule of engaging activities.

 

You can’t travel to or from Cuba on your own and “meet the group later. US Citizens to Cuba are highly regulated by the U.S. government

 

 

If you choose to go on you own, I guess one would be breaking the law, if you are a US Citizen. As for your reference of Obama, yes, he went around the people many times with his executive orders. Hopefully most will go away soon.

Edited December 8, 2016 by troykahack

[Havingfun2010]

There is a difference between visiting a country, and liking a country. Cuba is a unique place, that everyone, just about, can agree that it is troubling area filled with a lack of many freedoms, we enjoy. However, the "people" of Cuba are just like anyone else. They want to live their lives and enjoy it.

 

Visits to Cuba have been going on through other countries and is a common vacation destination. You don't visit a country because of their government, but because you want to see and experience their culture.

 

Most cruises today, that go to the Caribbean take you to a port, that you visit a bunch of tourist shops, go swimming on a beach, to to Senior Frogs, snorkel, and zip lining. It's not a cultural experience.

 

Go away to Europe, Asia, etc and you have a more cultural enriching experience.

 

Cuba is different. You may not like it, but it still draws you to experience it.

[troykahack]

Research... Always a good decision, I to almost fell for the let's start a new thread dilema myself. :eek:

 

But another one from this one was started before this one??? Not sure that sentence makes sense. I know, you didn't start the thread but I expect to see more... LOL

Edited December 8, 2016 by troykahack

[A&L_Ont]

But another one from this one was started before this one??? Not sure that sentence makes sense. I know, you didn't start the thread but I expect to see more... LOL

 

I chuckled when I saw that thread too. It was literally created hours before the announcement.

[troykahack]

I chuckled when I saw that thread too. It was literally created hours before the announcement.

 

Yes it was, strange..... it is titled a little different than this one

 

The other one was when

 

This one is after the announcement...

 

So titles are a bit different

[ECCruise]

US People to People for Cuba (removed the name of licensee ** to meet CC Guidelines)

 

 

** Cuba travel license dictates that all groups must be accompanied by both an ** representative AND a Cuban guide. This requirement is not waived based on group size.

 

People-to-people travel is not tourist-oriented or self-directed. There is no time allotted to skip an activity in favor of shopping or to wander the streets of a colonial city.

 

** included a full-schedule of engaging activities.

 

You can’t travel to or from Cuba on your own and “meet the group later. US Citizens to Cuba are highly regulated by the U.S. government

 

 

If you choose to go on you own, I guess one would be breaking the law, if you are a US Citizen. As for your reference of Obama, yes, he went around the people many times with his executive orders. Hopefully most will go away soon.

 

 

Well you can go on and on with your political posturing by cutting and pasting from the safety of your mouse or you can believe those that have been there.

Not surprising frankly.

 

 

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